THE brilliance of Dean Waller and Paul Humphries allowed Leigh to defeat West Essex by six wickets in Division Three.

Leigh went into the clash having already made a fine start to the season following their relegation.

And, despite losing the toss and being put into field, Leigh excelled with the ball in hand.

Although Sajid Mehmood gave West Essex hope of recording a defendable target, the number eight batsman’s unbeaten 50 came too late in the innings for the visitors.

West Essex were all out for 189 and were decimated by Humphries, who recorded impressive bowling figures of 6-55 from 12.5 overs.

When opening batsmen Max Craddock and Jack Wagstaff were clean bowled by Mehmood for 22 and 16 respectively, and Matthew Wagstaff was out for a duck, it looked as though Leigh could lose control of the contest.

Jon Edwards was the other Leigh wicket to fall, for 22, but Waller and Humphries shone with the bat and led Leigh to victory.

Waller was unbeaten on 72, while Humphries followed up his impressive spell bowling by striking a half-century.

As a result, Leigh are second in the standings and have recorded three victories from their opening four outings.